A TEMPERATURE PROBLEM FOR A SQUARE: AN EXACT SOLUTION

Determining the thermal stresses in elastic plates is a necessary component in strength calculations of elements of thin-walled structures, for example, the skin of aircraft and rockets in aerodynamic heating conditions.

Knowledge of the magnitude and nature of the action of thermal stresses is necessary for a comprehensive analysis of the strength of the structure. Thermal stresses in themselves and in combination with mechanical stresses from external forces can cause cracks and destruction of structures made of materials with increased fragility.

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Identifying Potential Earthquake Sources in Continental Environments

In this paper, we outline the overview of the problem of intraplate seismicity and summarize our studies aimed at identifying potential earthquake sources in three regions located in the continental environments. We study the French Massif Central located within the West-European platform, the Gujarat area situated at the northwestern edge of the Indian shield, and northeast Egypt located in the northeastern corner of the African continent.

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Late Glacial and postglacial seismicity in the Northeastern Fennoscandian Shield: tectonic position and age of paleo-earthquakes near Murmansk

The results of paleoseismological studies in the area south of the city of Murmansk are discussed. As the main seismogenic zone, a system of strike-slip and reversefaults of the NNW strike along the Kola rivervalley is identified here. Radiocarbon dating identified three episodes of high seismic activity: from 9500 to 10500 years ago, from 892 to 1182 and about 300 years ago.

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Natural hazards and climate change are not drivers of disasters

Many countries face challenges in assessing, understanding, and responding to time-dependent disaster risks. The increasing intensity of extreme events, combined with the increasing vulnerability of people and infrastructure to natural hazards such as earthquakes and tsunamis, volcanic eruptions and lava flows, floods and hurricanes, are changing the impact of natural hazards on society in a largely negative way. A.Ismail-Zadeh’s article “Natural hazards and climate change are not drivers of disasters” published in Natural Hazards examines the relationship between natural hazard events, climate change, social and physical vulnerabilities, and decision-making. While natural hazards provoke disasters and climate change increases the frequency and magnitude of events, vulnerability and exposure to natural hazards are major drivers of disasters. Informed decision-making to reduce disaster risk must be based on scientific evidence about natural hazards and climate change, knowledge about vulnerabilities, and various scenarios for disaster prevention in disaster preparedness. Doug Bostrom and Mark Kodack (Bostrom and Kodack, 2021) wrote about this paper: “One of the more thought-provoking articles in this week’s collection … A provocative title, but it’s hard to argue with the article’s premise … Dr. Ismail-Zadeh points out that when we’re fully informed of risks and hazards, disasters mostly happen only when we ignore that information and fail to take it into account in our systems of communicating and living … The author examines some case histories of hazards and risks inadequately folded into plans and actions, and points out specific means to redress the situation.”

A. Ismail-Zadeh mentions in a note “Poor planning compounded European flooding catastrophes” published in Nature that the catastrophic consequences of the 2021 floods in Germany (Figure 1) and neighboring countries were exacerbated by a lack of preparation and public awareness. Climate change, referred to by many in connection with disasters, can cause an increase in the number and power of extreme hydro-meteorological events, so, for example, frequent heavy rains can lead to floods. But to say that climate change is responsible for disasters caused by flooding is akin to saying that the SARS-CoV-2 virus is fueling the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic consequences. The virus triggered the pandemic, but its spread was facilitated by many countries’ lack of preparedness and delayed control measures. “Countries must urgently take steps to mitigate the risks associated with extreme flooding and other natural and human-induced hazard events, if future damage is to be averted,” writes A. Ismail-Zadeh.

Figure 1. Consequences of the 2021 floods in Germany (photo: Boris Roessler, DW)

The study was supported by a grant from the Russian Science Foundation (19-17-00027).

Ismail-Zadeh, A. (2021) Natural hazards and climate change are not drivers of disasters. Natural Hazards. DOI: 10.1007/s11069-021-05100-1

Ismail-Zadeh, A. (2021) Poor planning compounded European flooding catastrophes. Nature, 598(7879), 32. DOI: d41586-021-02712-2

Bostrom, D., and Kodack, M. (2021) Skeptical science new research for week #45. Available at: link.